India

Knowledge Campaign at the Karunya Trust

July 2013 │ India

Viewed from a distance, the Govandi slums looks vaguely like a massive grey mountain. This area is in fact one of the largest garbage dump sites in Mumbai, India, and more importantly, the means of daily livelihood for the entire community living in that part of the city. Every day, the urban poor rummage through the dumpsite looking for a way to feed themselves.

Understanding that education and therefore progress through knowledge is important to break the vicious cycle of poverty, Deutsche volunteers in Mumbai kicked off a knowledge campaign to mentor the children of Gyaansathi School under Karunya Trust.

Over the month of June, Deutsche volunteers conducted classroom teaching in general knowledge topics such as science and geography with a participation of around 50 children between the ages of 5 to 18 per class. The volunteers’ lively interaction along with videos and Q & A sessions kept the children engaged. Following the classes, teachers at the school have found a marked improvement in the children's understanding of the topics covered, which will make it easier for them to cover the syllabus during the year. The teachers themselves have benefitted as well by engaging in their own capacity-building during these sessions.

A volunteer commented, “I am glad that we have been able to make a small but tangible difference to the lives of the students and teachers at Karunya. The sessions have enabled us to get a different perspective on life. Personally for me, it has been a highly gratifying experience.”